Trump says presidency is a very dangerous profession, riskier than bull riding

President Trump reflects on past assassination attempts and the dangers of the presidency while celebrating a major Supreme Court victory expanding his executive power.

In Short

• Trump recalls being grazed by bullet at 2024 rally
• Describes presidency as riskier than bull riding or racing
• Survived September assassination attempt in Florida

US President Donald Trump, during an unscheduled press briefing at the White House on Friday, reflected on the dangers of holding the nation's highest office. His remarks came as he celebrated a major US Supreme Court ruling that limits the authority of federal judges to block presidential policies with nationwide injunctions.

Speaking to reporters, Trump mentioned he occasionally feels physical reminders of the July 13, 2024, incident when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. "I get that throbbing feeling every once in a while," he said. "But you know what? That’s okay. This is a dangerous business."

Trump compared the dangers of being president to other dangerous professions. "You have race car drivers as an example, 1/10 of 1 per cent die. Bull riders, 1/10 of 1 per cent . That's not a lot, but it's - people die. When you're president, it's about 5%. If somebody would have told me that, maybe I wouldn't have run. Okay? This is, this is a very dangerous profession."

Among the 45 US presidents, four have been assassinated, and some have endured severe threats or assaults. Trump is in his second term and has been targeted with numerous threats throughout and following his election campaigns.

RECENT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS

In addition to the July incident, Trump allegedly evaded another assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, while golfing at his West Palm Beach resort. The perpetrator in that incident faces five federal charges and has pleaded not guilty. The July shooter, in turn, was killed by Secret Service agents after he opened fire during the Pennsylvania event when one of the attendees was killed and two others were injured.

TENSIONS WITH IRAN

Trump also cited past intelligence that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had planned to assassinate him, something Tehran denies. This is just days after US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump's presidency has been characterised by vigorous rhetoric against political adversaries and a larger effort to increase executive power. On the basis of an investigation by Reuters, over 300 politically motivated acts of violence have happened in the U.S. since January 6, 2021, when a mob attacked the Capitol representing an intensely polarised and combustible period in American politics.

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With inputs from Reuters